It's been great to see the discussion about this safety device. Steve Holtzman seems to fully understand the role of this product, and I'm glad he's out there. I have a few comments to add. I work by the philosophy that a paddler should have multiple safety options, and in my mind they are: 1. stay upright 2. Eskimo roll 3. some kinda righting aid 4. wet exit and then re-enter If a bomb-proof roll (rare) means that you disregard levels 3 and 4 then you're comfortable with a higher level of risk than I am. A wet exit is an extreme measure. It can happen that the next wave separates you from your boat, and then you're in trouble even if the water is nice and warm. In cold water there are lots of other reasons to avoid a wet exit. Many things can be used as righting aids: inflated paddle float, half a flutter board (swimming training thing), someone's boat bow, inflated seal skin ... But how fast are these to deploy? When you are probably a bit surprised and maybe a little freaked? Using a PFD as a righting aid is better than a wet exit if you are successful. But if you drop it, or come out of your boat, then you're not wearing a PFD. So much for ease of deployment, how about size? The BackUP (or Roll-Aid) is the size of a can of 3 tennis balls. How big are these other potential righting aids? I suggest that someone who carries 2 paddle floats plus a sea seat would have less bulk if they had just a BackUP instead. Every BackUP has, written on the outside, "Avoid dangerous conditions. Learn to roll." Safety levels 1 and 2. Learn how to read the weather and the water, practice your bracing and rolling, and consider having a level 3 option rather than just skipping to level 4. My 2 cents, KS www.CoastalWatersRec.com every trip, a new adventure! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
FWIW - One option I had considered in terms of mounting the Roll-Aid product was to fasten it to the back of my PFD - you would deploy it similar to Robin Hood removing an arrow from a quiver (I assume he did such a thing!). Also, I was also told that you do not *need* to use the provided storage tube - you could also store it in another fashion - for instance a pouch or bag that was suitably anchored so when you pulled the handle it would come out of the bag easily. I was also told that the ideal storage would be a compartment built into the boat just in front of the cockpit - with the handle exposed. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Kirby's post: "Many things can be used as righting aids: inflated paddle float, half a flutter board (swimming training thing), someone's boat bow, inflated seal skin ... But how fast are these to deploy? When you are probably a bit surprised and maybe a little freaked? Using a PFD as a righting aid is better than a wet exit if you are successful. But if you drop it, or come out of your boat, then you're not wearing a PFD." Has anyone used an inflatable PFD to right themselves? As I have one, I must try this, when I get a replacement CO2 cartridge. I might run a few trials with the PFD inflated orally to start with. I think it should be possible to inflate the PFD with the CO2, take it off, and roll up. Or, stow the PFD on the deck, like a roll-aid, inflate it with the rip cord, roll up, then don the jacket. Is this all poolside theorising? Anyone done any such trials? Cheers, PT. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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